Round 6 on 4th April saw our eight Wessex teams going into battle across all five divisions.
We played on 29 boards (sadly we had a “technical” double-default in one game and two default losses in other games).
From the 29 games played, we scored 15 wins, 5 draws and 9 losses, our best set of results since round 3, back in February.
This translated in match terms into 3 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses.
Division 1
Our A team started with a “game down & a half point handicap” after Jaimie ran into technical problems and was unable to start his game – luckily wins from Oscar Garcia and David Pye plus a solid draw from Gavin Lock on board one saw us prevail.
With 9 points from 6 matches, we’ve now secured 3rd place with a shot at 2nd place (and the chance to enter the play-offs) depending on the round 7 results.
Our B team came up against a very strong Dundee City A and went down to a 3-1 loss despite good results by Richard Allis & Allan Pleasants who drew with much higher graded players.
With 4 points from 6 matches, we’re now in the relegation zone and need to win our “double pointer” against Shropshire & Friends 1 in the final round to stay up.
Division 2
Our C team did well to hold a strong Stroud Youngies team with wins from Raj and Simon – I noted that White won every game (hold that thought…)
With 7 points from 6 matches our C team are in joint 2nd place and could win promotion and make the play-offs if we win our round 7 “double-pointer” against Ashfield Anonymous B.
Division 3
Our D team overwhelmed a lower graded Deaf England with wins from John, Reenen, Bill and Jamie Doyle.
With 7 points from 6 matches, we’re looking safe from relegation (or promotion!) so will finish mid-table.
Our E team had a “double default” as board 2 played with the wrong colours – draws from Joe & Chris secured a consolation point and we went down 2-1.
With4 points from 6 matches, we’re looking safe in 6th place and likely to stay up.
Division 4
Our F team looked to have a close match grade-wise and sure enough a 2-2 draw ensued – remarkably, Black won every game !
Our wins came from Rob Davenport and Ed Blanden.
With 5 points from 6 rounds we’re currently in 5th place and simply a draw against the 8th placed team in round 7 will see us stay up, regardless of other results, so we have control of our own destiny….
Division 5
A comfortable 3-1 win for our G team against lower graded opponents with Doug, Andrea & Manuel all winning
With 7 points from 6 matches we’re now in 12th place from 35 teams and likely to finish in the top half.
Our H team lost a close match, as wins from Larissa and George were not enough due to an unexpected default on board 2 which gave us a half point handicap.
With 4 points from 6 matches we are in 28thplace and will probably finish in the bottom half of the table.
Summary
Stats-wise, Jamie Doyle continues on track for the “golden boot” with 5/6 with only David Pye & Allan Pleasants, both on 4/6, able to catch him in the last round.
8 players have now played all 6 rounds – a remarkable number with the amount of OTB chess nowadays.
Keith Gregory, 7th April 2023
